If you're planning to swap the glitz and noise of New Year's Eve parties for a quiet, cosy night at home, your perfect film marathon lineup is here. We've scoured IMDb's authoritative '100 Best New Year's Eve Movies of All Time' list to bring you the definitive top five rated films to close out 2025.
The Perfect NYE Movie Marathon Lineup
Forget the endless scrolling. This curated selection, dominated by feel-good romantic comedies, offers the ideal blend of love, laughter, and one utterly surprising entry to keep your marathon thrilling until the clock strikes twelve. These are the films that should be on your must-watch list this 31st December.
5. Bridget Jones's Diary
Kicking off the countdown is the perennial British favourite, Bridget Jones's Diary. Directed by Sharon Maguire, this rom-com classic stars Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant. The film follows 32-year-old Bridget as she starts a New Year's diary, determined to take control of her chaotic life, leading to a series of provocative and hysterical adventures in love and self-discovery.
4. The Godfather Part II
Here's the curveball. At number four is The Godfather Part II, Francis Ford Coppola's epic crime saga. Featuring powerhouse performances from Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, this isn't your typical festive flick. Yet, its cinematic brilliance earns it a spot, offering a gripping, 3-hour 22-minute alternative to the night's lighter fare. The plot contrasts Michael Corleone's struggles in 1958 with the early life of his father, Vito, in 1917 New York.
3. About Time
Prepare the tissues for this heartfelt number three. About Time, directed by Richard Curtis and starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams, is a guaranteed tearjerker. It blends romance, family, and whimsical time travel as Tim Lake uses his hereditary ability to travel through time to win the heart of Mary, learning profound lessons about life and love along the way.
2. New Year's Eve
Appropriately titled for the occasion, New Year's Eve claims the second spot. Garry Marshall's star-studded ensemble piece features Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, and Halle Berry, among many others. It weaves together multiple stories of love, hope, and second chances across New York City on the most celebrated night of the year.
1. When Harry Met Sally
Topping the list is the undisputed romantic comedy king: When Harry Met Sally. Directed by Rob Reiner and starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, this iconic film explores the age-old question of whether men and women can ever truly be just friends. Following Harry and Sally over twelve years, its witty dialogue and timeless charm make it the perfect film to welcome the new year.
So, grab your popcorn, get comfy on the sofa, and let these five top-rated films guide you into 2026. Whether you're after laughter, tears, or a dose of cinematic grandeur, this lineup has your cosy New Year's Eve covered.
